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Cascades recognized for energy efficiency

Cascades’ leadership in energy efficiency was recognized several times in the past month. Natural Resources Canada, Novae and the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec (FCCQ) each in turn named Cascades as a finalist in their award programs.

“The efforts and leadership deployed are producing conclusive results, because the company uses 2.7 times less energy than the Canadian pulp and paper industry average. Despite this performance, we continue to work and prove it is always possible to do more,” pointed out Mario Plourde, president and CEO of Cascades.

On May 17, at Energy Summit 2016 held by the Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium in collaboration with Natural Resources Canada, Cascades received a Leadership Award under the Canadian Industry Program for Energy Conservation (CIPEC) in the “Corporate Stewardship” category. Cascades’ innovative approach, which favors continuous improvement in its energy management, drew the organizers’ attention.

CIPEC had also recognized Cascades in 2011 in the “Integrated Energy Efficiency Strategy” category.

The Alain-Lemaire Solar Park once again drew attention as a finalist in two competitions: the Novae Corporate Citizenship Awards in the “Carbon Footprint” category, and the Mercuriades initiated by the FCCQ in the “Sustainable Development – Large Business” category.

A worldwide first in the pulp and paper industry, this park serves the Kingsey Falls industrial complex with an integrated system of parabolic solar sensors covering an area of 1,490 square metres. This project allows annual savings of 140,000 cubic metres of natural gas.

Cascades has also announced that it achieved the energy efficiency target set out in its 2013-2015 Sustainable Development Plan. Based on a three per cent reduction target, Cascades exceeded expectations by reducing its energy consumption by 12 per cent.

“The expertise acquired over the past few years and the ingenuity of the teams in place once again made it possible to expand the boundaries. The establishment of energy kaizens, funding of special projects through a dedicated investment fund, and close collaboration with ENERGY STAR are among the measures that made this improvement possible,” explains Pascal Aguettaz, vice-president, corporate services.